Q.- What is the difference between a prescription and a letter of medical necessity? I want to get reimbursed from my health FSA for the cost of over the counter acetaminophen and I was told I need a prescription.
A.- Over the counter medicines and drugs require a prescription to be eligible for reimbursement from a health flexible spending account plan. A prescription is a written or electronic order that satisfies the legal requirements for a prescription in the state in which the expense is incurred. A letter of medical necessity is an informal note from a provider that identifies a diagnosis and a course of treatment and says the supply or service is medically necessary to treat the diagnosed condition. A LOMN is generally required when an expense has both a medical and a non-medical purpose.